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1 800 686 9921
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1 800 686 9921
Brother Fidelis DeBerardinis served in multiple locations throughout his ministry, including Boston, Honduras, Guatemala, Trinidad, Israel, and New York. Between 1968 and 1973, while assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in East Boston, he was accused of sexually assaulting as many as seven altar boys. His departure from Massachusetts in 1973 tolled the statute of limitations, delaying criminal prosecution by nearly three decades. Prior to his 2002 arrest, the Franciscan order acknowledged that it had settled a sexual misconduct claim against him involving one of the men who later filed criminal charges.
DeBerardinis pleaded guilty in 2004 to assaulting eight youths and was sentenced to eight years in prison and ten years of probation. He remained in custody as of November 2011. He was a Franciscan friar supervised by his religious order — not the Archdiocese of Boston — at the time the sexual abuse occurred.
With decades of dedicated advocacy, we have held abusers and institutions accountable, helping survivors secure justice and the resources to move forward.
For over two decades, we have focused solely on advocating for survivors, combining legal skill with compassion to guide them toward justice and healing.
We are honored to have guided thousands of survivors through the legal process, offering support, advocacy, and the resources they need to reclaim their lives.
The Franciscan order’s acknowledgment that it settled a misconduct claim against DeBerardinis prior to his 2002 arrest indicates that the order was aware of allegations against him before criminal charges were filed. Questions remain about whether the order took adequate steps to remove him from ministry or alert other institutions following prior claims — institutional failures that, if established, may have allowed him continued access to children.
Survivors of Brother DeBerardinis’ sexual abuse may have the opportunity to pursue justice through civil litigation and seek compensation for the psychological, emotional, and developmental harm they endured. An attorney can evaluate whether a civil claim may be available based on your specific circumstances.
Civil claims can provide survivors with access to institutional records, prior misconduct reports, and other evidence that may establish patterns of negligence or concealment by the religious order. Legal proceedings can also serve as a mechanism for institutional accountability, creating pressure for reforms that protect future generations. For many survivors, civil litigation is not only a path toward financial recovery — for therapy, lost opportunities, and other harms — but also an affirmation of their experiences and an exercise of their right to be heard.
If you or someone you know may have been abused by Brother DeBerardinis or another member of the Franciscan order, contact Herman Law for a confidential consultation.
Every survivor deserves compassion and acknowledgment. This video explains how civil law empowers individuals harmed by clergy abuse to pursue accountability and closure. Justice extends beyond courtrooms; it allows survivors to reclaim their voice and aids them on their healing journey. Survivors across Massachusetts continue proving that truth carries strength and healing begins with being heard.
Our experienced and compassionate team of attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and support staff have extensive training in working with sexual abuse victims.
These cases are complex; however, our team are experts in these types of cases and will diligently ensure our clients are compensated for full and fair value. We always do our best to help our clients heal by giving them a voice
and helping them seek a measure of justice.
Massachusetts Disclaimer:Herman Law has a multistate practice representing victims of sexual abuse in civil cases. A Herman Law attorney is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. Each case is different, and results in prior cases do not assure a similar outcome in future cases. If there is no recovery, no fees or expenses will be charged. Attorney Advertising by Jenny Rossman.
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